Shrimping will continue to be banned for six months a year in Bahrain, despite calls from fishermen to relax the rules.

This was announced by Information Affairs Minister and official government spokesman Isa Al Hammadi following the weekly Cabinet session yesterday (June 22), said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

“The six-month shrimping ban is now implemented across the GCC and protects resources for future generations, while safeguarding shrimp breeding grounds from improper mass fishing,” he said.

“Fishermen can always fish other things to make their living, we are just banning shrimping - not fishing altogether.

“The Cabinet is working on solutions that will help fishermen, but we have to think of the environment and marine life at the same time.”

The shrimping ban currently in place will continue until September 15 on the orders of the Works, Municipalities and Urban Planning Affairs Ministry.

Previously, it was imposed in Bahraini waters from March 15 to July 15.

The extended ban came amid fears that Bahrain's fish stocks could be wiped out within three years unless urgent action is taken, as the GDN reported in March.

Meanwhile, His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa has directed the Works, Municipalities and Urban Planning Affairs Ministry to have an urgent meeting with fishermen to discuss their concerns.

The outcome of the meeting will be reported to the Cabinet alongside possible solutions from which decisions will be drawn. - TradeArabia News Service